Excavating apparatus



Nov. 29, 1949 E. H. KLUcKHoHN EXCAVATING APIfARATUS 4 Sheets-Shea; l

Filed Oct. 7, 1944 IN V EN TOR. Egf/ardf/.Amkm

4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

N0V 29, 1949 E. H. KLUCKHOHN EXCAVATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1944 di@ lBY l Nov. 29, 1949 E. H. KLUCKHOHN EXCAVATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-sheet :s

Filed Oct. 7, 1944 Nov. 29, 1949 E. H. KLucKHoHN EXCAVATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheei'l 4 Filed Oct. 7, 1944 INVENTOR.

Edwafdjfjfmiwm Patented Nov. 29, 1.949

UNI-TE STATE Si PAT ENT OFFICE EXCAVATING APPARATUS Edward 1H. -Kluckhohm Naperville,.Ill.

pplicationOctober 7, 1944, Serial No. 557,571

9 Claims. (Cl.

. l; This' invention relatesto improvements 'inexcavating machinery and-apparatus and4 to a novel: formof :bucket for use therewith andI its purpose is lto provide formsv of buckets and apparatus which will permit digging, excavating4 and movingV 5 operations-to be' carried onA in a new andimproved manner 'and more -economicallyf'than has'- heretoforebeen possible;

Many forms of excavatingapparatus,v employ-- ing bucketsot the clam shell or' the-shovel types -10` have iheretofore been incommonuse in carryingf on various Ldigging; excavating; earthmoving andloading-operations but the-uses-to which such al1-- paratuscould be put have r`been 1unduly restricted.'

These-limitationshave been .imposed-:to a consid-L 15 erable extent by-theforms -of -buckets--whichfhave 4been used. A bucket-of thel well-knowirl-.claml shell; type isa-capable. of use only: in elevating and loadingnr .unloading loose materials such as sand, gr'avel, loose earth, -crushed rock and f. the like, 20 and :it-has the further-disadvantage that there -is'r considerable leakage:l therefrom and consequent` waste; or damage. While: a bucket of theI usual; shovel. type is-capable of use fordiggingfpurposes, such abucketihasalso-fhad the `disadvantageof- 25 leakage when used :forconveying 'purposes and; inzaddition, its uses. have been'limited because-it has hadzonly one. cutting edgeand because it has always had a fixed -pitch or inclination which was y not always in line. with its direction of movement 3o1 during. the digging;A operation so that its use has; notpbeenreiiicient and .has vrequired the expenditure-.oan undue amount of power. A further-.- disadvantage of prior excavating apparatus has been that whether the bucket was of the clam 35V shell `or the bucket typethe entire contents ofthe bucket'. had to .be dumped in one operation..

The principal object of the present inventionis to proyide-=improved excavating apparatus inting edges so that it may be.moved .in-either:of twogriirections in .eiecting digging or. cutting operations, thus providing means for carrying una' variety Ofbperations whichhave notheretofore Zbl- 137) 2;. bucket'so that the contents of the bucketmayb.. dischargedA gradually or intermittently in ac: cordance with the will of the operator. Stillanother object of the invention is to provide ja. bucket, provided prefersbiy with double cutting; edges, and Aarranged for pivotal jmountingzwith of therpivota-l connectionslocated inside of t h'e planes of Athe'lateral faces of thebucketso that" the bucket may be used to cut; excavationshaving square corners.'

A further object of the invention is to provide improved excavating apparatus of the shovel, hoe,r bulldozer,- overheadshovel anddragline; types in whichthe 'improved double-edgedL dlg-i ging` bucket is actuated in an improvedlnanner to have cutting 4action upon' movement' ineither f of two directions, so thatlsomeformofthe appa' ratus may be used eiticientlyfor yarious'purposessuch as the digg-ing of excavationshaving li'ori` zontalv floors and verticalside -'-wal1s, diggingf'l canals'- and tunnels and' removing the-rock-and*-v earth therefrom, buildingelevatedr roadbedii;- grading: roadways and'vmoving earth in position;`

and-loading and unloading various-loose materials such as earth, sand,v gravel'andthe-like: l'

These and other objects'of :the invention -will ap pearzmore clearly hereinafter.

The nature ofthe invention wil-l-'be-'understood'ifrom the. following specification'taken with theaaccompanying drawings in which several embodiv ments are illustrated.

In the drawings;

Figure l shows a perspective view-offene form, ofthe improved digging. bucket which is provided with double cuttingv edges;

Fig. zlshows a somewhatdiagrammatic side elevation of a shovel embodying. thel improvedL features oi then presentlinvention, including the= double-,edged. cuttingzbucket; illustrating` the use., of afshovelin :moving thefbucket in either ofitwo'.

directionszfor digging-purposes in the. processx of;

forming an excavation having. a vertical sidewalLf. where the, principal. partsl of the shoyelarel cated lon .the floorof itherexcavationrthe, bucket been possible with excavating machinery. A fur 55beingaCtuated by. uid pressureumeansfor .turna ther. object-is to provide a.v bucket having;double: cutting edges. in combination? with controlling.: means -for varying theinclination or .pitch'of .the i bucket so that the cuttingforcegwill .at-all be :applied in the planevofascutting; edge@ An-f4 ai ingit about its own axis;

Fig, 3 shows a. partial side: elevation of `gear and chain mechanism which may be used in turn-f ingv the bucket on its, axis vin .y place :of the uid;

pressure means shown in Figgz;

Fig. .4 shows a partialsideelevation of stille-nf. other formot mechanism whereinfthebucket maybe turned about its-.own ,axis by the use ofcables;

controlling the4 movements. and;- pitch of the Fig. .5 shows an elevation; of. excavating-4 ap.-v

paratus embodying the present invention when constructed in the form of a hoe which is shown as being mounted on the surface of the ground and being employed in forming an excavation at a lower level having vertical side walls, the use of the bucket in cutting the earth upon movement thereof in either vertical direction and also horizontally being shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 6 shows a side elevation of a bulldozer embodying the features of the present invention, the use of the bulldozer in eiecting pushing, conveying and dumping operations being illustrated by dotted lines;

Fig. 7 shows a side elevation of an overhead shovel embodying the features of the present invention, the use of the bucket in digging, elevating, conveying and dumping being shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 8 shows an elevation of excavating apparatus of the dragline type, the various positions which may be assumed by the double-edged cutting bucket in excavating, conveying and dumping operations being shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 9 shows an end elevation of a modied form of the improved bucket in which the pivotal connections are located inwardly from the end faces of the bucket so that it may be employed in forming an excavation having upright walls and square corners; and

Fig. 10 shows a side elevation of a modied form of bucket illustrated in Fig. 9.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is shown a perspective view of the improved digging bucket 5 which comprises a curved wall |5a rigidly and continuously united at its ends with parallel end walls l5b to form a uidtight receptacle. The curved wall |5a is formed of hardened steel at its longitudinal parallel edges i5c which are sharpened to form the cutting edges of the bucket and the end walls lb are so shaped at their margins that they project outwardly in conformity with the projection of the cutting edges |56. The end walls I5b are provided with apertures I5d through which pivotal connections are made with the supporting and operating parts by which the bucket is moved about its own axis. By this construction, there is provided a digging bucket which may be used to effect cuttingoperations upon movement thereof in either of two directions and the cavity of the bucket between the cutting edges is sufciently concave to permit the bucket to be used for conveying purposes without danger of spilling its contents and without danger of leakage. By properly controlling the position of the bucket with respect to its pivots, the cutting edges may always be located in the desired planes and the force which is applied for cutting purposes may be applied in the plane of the cutting edge which is in use. By controlling the movement of the bucket about its own pivots, the discharge of the contents of the bucket may be made to take place gradually or intermittently, as the operator may desire.

The embodiment of the double-edged digging bucket of the type described above in an excavating apparatus of the form known as a shovel is illustrated in Fig. 2. The frame i6 of this apparatus is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on a chassis I1 which is carried by the usual Caterpillar tractor tread mechanism I8. In this instance, the treads are shown mounted upon the oor |93 of an excavation I9 having a vertical wall I9b formed by cutting away the body of earth 20. Mounted on the frame |'6, there is a power plant 2| adapted to generate steam for 2l operating the piston within a cylinder 22. This piston is connected by a connecting rod 23 with a disk 24 mounted on .the shaft which also carries a pinion 25 arranged to mesh with a gear 28. This gear is mounted on a drum shaft 21 carrying a pair of cable drums 28 and the gear also meshes with an idler pinion 29 through which there is driven another gear 30 xed on a gear shaft 3| which has xed thereon a sprocket gear These cable drums, thus actuated through the steam cylinder 22, are capable of operating the excavating apparatus hereinafter described and the power plant 2| may also be employed to provide power for operating the tractor treads I8 by which the shovel is moved from one position to another. y

On the forward end of the frame I6, there is mounted a bracket 34 having pivotally mounted thereon a boom 35 which extends upwardly and toward the right as Viewed in Fig. 2 and which carries at its upper end a bracket 36 having pivotally attached thereto an arm 31. This arm carries at its lower end pulleys 38 adapted to be engaged by a cable 39 which has one end ata tached to a member 46 secured to the shaft 4| of pulleys 42. The shaft 4| is journaled in bearing brackets 43 mounted upon the upper frame structure Il;a and the end of the cable 38, opposite the. end which is attached to the member 40, after being passed over one of the pulleys 42, is wound about and secured to one of the drums 28 so that, upon actuation of the steam cylinder 22, the drum 28 attached to the cable 29 may be operated for shortening or extending the stretches of cable between the pulleys 38 and the pulleys 42, thereby raising or lowering the boom 35 about its pivot on the bracket 34.

At an intermediate point on the boom 35 there is pivotally mounted a bracket 44 which carries a pair of sticks 45 which straddle the boom 35 and upon the free ends of which the digging bucket 41 is pivotally mounted. The ends of the sticks 45 are attached to pivot pins 48 engaging apertures in the end walls of the bucket and secured thereto so that upon rotation thereof the bucket is turned about its axis. One of these pivot pins 48 is secured to a disk 49 which has a pivotal eccentric connection with a connecting rod 50 operated by a cross head 5| attached to a piston rod leading from the cylinder 52, carried by one of the sticks, to which an operating fluid, such as steam or compressed air, is admitted through a flexible conduit 53 extending from the power plant 2| or from an air compressor mounted on the frame I6. Upon admission of steam or the like to the cylinder 52, the bucket 41 may be rotated about its own axis, through more or less than a complete revolution, and, with the other parts in proper positions, may be made to assume the various positions which are illustrated by dotted lines.

The pivot pins 48 are also attached to a U- shaped bracket 55 which is pivoted at 56 through a frame 51 carrying a pulley 58. A cable 6l) is attached to the frame 51 and, after extending around one of a series of pulleys 6| carried by the bracket 36, is passed around the pulley 58 and then over another of the pulleys 6| from which it extends downwardly and is wound about and secured to the other drum 28. Thus, upon the winding of the last-mentioned drum, the effective length of the portions of the cable 6|) extending between the frame 51 and the pulleys 6| may be shortened in order to raise the bucket 41 about the pivot formed by the mounting of the '6 1'f'tusfo'-thefhoe* type in" which f the bucketf is 'itivedf-soniewhat in" the' manner inl which' it?? is -actliatedimthe'shovel type of excavatingfmachinetdescribed above, although the 'hoe is nortiinnelforffthe 4iike along which the machine 'wravelsfdhringthe'process'f-of excavation. i1-

Iustratedf-'in the' drawings, the cabin 80"-of the or1lowered,the-sticksmoved toward'or away from-i156-ppaatusfhouses the usual power plant with fthe boomg-and the bucket rotated freely 'oli-- the i "ends-v of the sticks. By meansof -thes'e operating 'i V`-z adiustments, the 'bucket -41 may -be causedtofas- "Qsurnethe inverted positionl shownfbyfull liescin hspower'lactuated drums for lwinding cablesv `by ''Whichthe bucket and' associated apparatusare viitii'trollcd. The cabin 80 is mounted for rota-tion -ab6ut= avertical axis `on a chassis 8| carriedI-:by

'f'FiguZ which position it would occupy:whensthawthefCaterpillar tractor treads 82 which,A in turn,

lwould occupy when materials -are being con- 'Hi/eyed thereby from -one position to another 'jalickr' L itwili-be apparent -that by acombina-tion "ofjthc above-described adjustments,-' coupled with-the otation of'the frame I 6 aboutits verticaba'is n`. the chassis I1, theloaded bucketV may -be "fi'ndved lto any position within a-wide rangetoper-f; *"f mit the discharge of its contents. In the positionsliwnfby dotted lines at 41h, -the' bucket is'lpan tially invertedwith oneof its cutting edgs-ex verticallyfor movement in a 'vertical "'a'na which' movement it might have when cuts; -fii'pomthemuter or-upper'end of the boom. The

at '479, the bucket has been'pa'rtially 'fi-reversed its position and the'opposite cuttingA "'rdge is directed horizontallyalong the door fl Jinx'ie'stfuponfthe'surfaces@ ofthe earth 83. This Lpparatusf is` shown as being used in the excavation-o acellar, "orthe 4like, designated bythe qruxeral- 8431 which has a bottom 'surface *84 and JGn the-forward end of the frame of this ma- 'fchne fthe'reis'- mounted abracket 85 on which lthere-Ais' pivotally'supported a, boom 8-6 adapted to be swung in a vertical plane about its pivotand moved vlaterally when the cab-in 80 and its *supporting franneare moved about a vertical axis. "rshove -81 is pivotally mounted in a'yokecaried-nthe free lend '-Of astick 88- which is conneted with a bracket ftpivoted 'at the point f90 and amable 9|'connected to opposite ends of the -stickrvserves toreinforce that member against dwnwardfbnding On" one side of the Vyoke ff "the" ek'cavaton. When in this positionthetggfiai'rieddby thestick, there ismounted a cylinresulting filling oi the bucketand the same moyeide'r `92a.daptedt to receive steam, compressed air -o'otheactuating' fluid through a'exible conv duit'SS which* extends' rearwardly =and along `the 'boom-861mthe-interior of the-cabin 80. Upon 593 -ismoved'fin'itsguideway' thereby operating a onnect-fn'grod 94' which is -pivoted in an eccenftriccpositiorr'on a disk 95 secured to the shaft or lpivot ipins ofl the bucket 81. Thus, by admitting inay^"be"-act1ated to `effect the rotation of the bucketabout -its own axis. As in the form of the inventionpiifiously described, this operationlis under-the'fntrolof `the operator located in the 't'akplace all at onetime or in an intermittent-.21561-cabinfa.

-L'I'hef'digging bucket `81 is preferably 0f the "form 'sho'wm'in-Figs'i 9 and 10 where it is illustrated as cinprisinga'curved-'wall '8"EL united at its erids withi'end walls 8'!b which are recessed or offset dai-'tied by thellower part of the boom 35.H Thisfsisginwardly'tofprovide flanges 8'!c having apertures shaft carries another sprocket gear which meshes wlth'an endless chain 61 arranged to extend -up wardly along the b oom and to drive a sprocket i" -ge'ai 'S-mounted on the pivot of the bracket 44.

I" p loxfr'ed when the bucket 41 is turned .-by thefu'se' 'f'iiuid pressure as shown in Fig. 2 butthischain 'hction may be used to drive a sprocketgchain .prtsandfth-operating connections are adapted j toflie'iin'tlisfspac Withinthe planes ofthe end 4fcicslIU-"oftile-bucket so that when the appa- -atusis being employed for excavating a 'cavity 'illvmoun'tedupon one of the Vpivotseof-the-buclfet illustratedl in Fig. 3. Also, the chain-drive 'xnay beused to actuate a grooved-'pulley *13. -shown'inFig 4, which drives a--belt -M'mounte'd fone-v of' the pulleys of the `bucket-sol that? the *bucket* maybeturnedaboutits'own'axis inthe l""mjannei previously idescxibed.

Mln Fig. 5-of the drawings; thel'iv'entibnkfis 'bcketinay t:bef-moved vertically" for cutting one Vftcalinall-"and 'in contact With an adjacent lhtiing'iar'wall without interference fby the '-atingfechani'sm `'of the bucket. As in the showin asbemg embodiment excavating fuppaff'ifp11-easier tird-ofthe fstfcilss and:` ambie *sans access attached to this yoke and extends rearwardly through a sheave 98 to a .point within the cabin'` 80 where it is wound on a .power actuated This drum may be operated as heretofore described in order to wind up or extend the lcable in order to draw the bucket 81 downwardly toward the cabin or to permit it to be moved outwardly; The outward swinging of the bucket 81 away from the cabin 80 is effected by a cable connection extending to the upper end of the stick 88 at which point the stick is shown as carrying a housing in which are mounted pulleys |0|'=` arranged to be engaged by a cable |02. This cable extends around pulleys |03 mounted on struts |04 and |05 carried by the frame on which the cabin 80 is mounted and, after passing around these pulleys |03, the cable |02 is extended into the cabin 80 and wound about and secured to a drum of the type heretofore described. Upon' actuation of this drum by suitable power means, the cable |02 may be drawn inwardly in order to swing the stick 88 about its pivot 90-and thusf move the bucket 48l upwardly and away from the" cabin 80.

By means of the foregoing adjustments, it will' be apparent that the bucket 81 may be caused to assume a variety of positions and to be movedin various ways for facilitating the digging of earth or other loose materials and the loading thereof into the bucket or the discharge of said. materials from the bucket. In Fig. 5, the bucket2 81 is shown in the normal suspended position which it would usually occupy when moving materials from one position to another. In the position shown at 81, by dotted lines, the bucket y" 81 is illustrated in the position which it occupied just before scooping up a quantity of the earth` E 83 from a point adjacent one of the vertical walls 81|b of Ithe excavation. In the Iposition shown by dotted lines at 81h, the bucket is shown just after it has scooped up a quantity of this material and has been returned to the conveying position,suc'h as that shown by full lines in the upper -part of the gure. In the position shown -by dotted lines T at 81, the .bucket is shown being moved ver-ft tically downward with one cutting edge arranged-f to travel along the vertical face 84h of the excaa vation. In the position shown at 81d, the 'bucket is shown with one cutting edge moving horizontally along the bottom surface 484a of the exca'v"a"v tion and in the position shown at '81e the bucket occupies substantially the same position 4but has been moved further along the bottom surface 84S." l

In the position shown at 81, the bucket is being moved vertically with one cutting edge traveling vertically along another vertical face 84b of the excavation, and in the position at 818, 'the Ibucket is shown at the top of the excavation after it of fthe excavation during its vertical travel. Inall of these operations, the same cutting edge-of the bucket is shown as the operative edge engagsubstantially of standard construction except for the use therewith of the improved double-edged cutting bucket of the" present invention. This bulldozer comprises a frame |05 carried by Cater-t 5 pillar treads |06 which travel on the surface |01. At the sides of this machine, sticks |08 are pivof' tally mounted at the points |09 for vertical swing-` ing movements about a horizotal axis. At the free ends of these sticks, there is mounted a 10- shovel ||0 which may be constructed according to the form of the invention illustrated in Fig.4

1 or according to the form shown in Figs. 9 and .10.1

It4 has double cutting edges and is arranged to rotate about pivots through the operation o`f a crank disk |2 which carries an eccentrically located pin ||3 connected to a piston rod ||4 .4 This piston rod is connected to a piston mounted in a cylinder ||5 which is pivoted at theA point |18 'on the side of the adjacent stick |08.'` 4.

20 flexible conduit, not shown, extends from ,the cylinder ||5 to a source of compressed fluid such.

as steam or compressed air located on the frame |05 and through this means the bucket ||0 may be turned or rotated about its axis in ordervto bring either cutting edge into voperative position'v or to turn the bucket for conveying purposes.

The sticks |08 are connected adjacent the forward end of the frame |05 through links I8 with the long arms I9 of bell crank levers I8. These bell crank levers are pivoted at the points |20 on'.

the sides of the frame |05 and they have a short.

arm ||8b which is arranged to be actuated by a cylinder |22. This cylinder is pivoted at the point |23 on the frame of the machine and lits piston is connected through a piston rod |24 With`the short arm ||9b of the bell crank lever. Upon the admission of steam, compressed air or the like to the cylinder |22, at the left-hand end thereof as shown in Fig. 6, the bell crank levers ||9 are swung about their pivots |20 to lower of the 'tread mechanism. Upon admitting compressed fluid to the right-hand end of the cylinder |22, as viewed in Fig. 6, the long arms H91.

ofthe bell crank levers are swung upwardly tov sition shown at ||0a o'fi'sh'own by the dotted lines at ||0b. As shown by dotted lines at ||0, the bucket may then be rotated about its axis in order to dump its con. tents. By means of this form of the invention,A the bucket may be used either to push materials along a predetermined surface |01 which is to suicient supply of such materials has been acxis in order to load said materials, whereupon" the bulldozer may be made to travelto a suitable discharged.

elevate the sticks |08 so that the bucket ||0 may then be elevated from the digging or scraping. poto the conveying position.

be' formed thereby or to pull said materials., along said surface and, in either case, when a`l cumulated, the bucket may be turned about its point where the contents of the bucket may' be" ing the materials to be excavated but it will be apparent that the operating mechanism of rthis` 651m -hoe permits the bucket to be reversedin its .position and to be moved downwardly and away from the cabin during the excavating and loading DIOCGSS- N017 Only may the buckt fb@ emplOyed of the present invention. As there illustrated.4 in the m2111161 'illustrated in the drawings t0 Cut .70 the overhead shovel comprises a frame |30 car'- vertical sides and bottom '.valls of an excavation rie'l by Caterpillar tractor treads |3| and combllt it may also 'be used tl0 Cut the 170D Wall 0f a i prising an upper frame structure |32. A pair' tunnel or the like. of sticks |33 are pivoted at the points |34 on4 In Fig. 6 0f the drawings. the inVentiOn 1S opposite sides of the frame |30 and the free .Shown as being embodied in a bulldozer which 1S 76' ends lof these sticks have pivotaliy mounted there-.-

The invention is shown in Fig. '1 of the draw-.L 'gs as being embodied in an overhead shovel" which conforms substantially to the types of?, construction heretofore used except for the employment therewith of the double-edged bucket.

'aetween ithebu'cket 1.35' which may be constructed "ether'according tothe'form shown in Fig. 1 or accor'ding .toflthe 'form'shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The pivots "136 `of 'this bucket .are connected 'tota disk |31 carrying. an eccentric pin '|38 -whichis actuated by a connecting rod |38 conminor' other'iluid .is 'admitted Vthrough Vflexible 'conduit -connections 'which `are .not illustrated. This'source'of compressed'ud is adapted to be supplied through 'suitable apparatus connected #with-aipower unit"|45 located on the frame |3|) :zand the operator. is adapted to occupy a seat |46 from'fwhichthe variouspperations of the machine 'may-bepontrolled When the bucket is in its lower-,position shown by full lines in Fig.' 7, one cutting'edge"|35""thereo 'is arranged to travel along thevsurface"|4`| lupon which the Caterpillar treads' |3| rest.

Thesticks |33on"the"bucket |35 are adapted to'fbe-elevated.'fromthepositions shown by full lines 'in' Fig. v'7 through the'agency of a cable |50 which-'is-attachedat one end to a yoke |5| havlngits .arms secured to thev pivots' '|36 of the bu'cket"|35. This cable extends over a pulley |53 mounted on .the upper' frame structure |32 at onefend ofthe machine and" is then carried between 'sheaves |55 downwardly whereitis wound on a. drum |56. This drum is vadapted to be actuatedv by suit'ablepower connections extending from'the power. plant. 45 sc that thedrum may 'be' rotated to raise'th'e sticks |33 Y.about their pivots' |34.

"In the dotted position shown at 35, the bucket has been reversed in positionso that it is capable fbeing loaded when 'the treads. 3| are moved toward the right on the surface |41, as distinguished from the loadingaction .which may be eected'by moving .the bucket toward. the left when -it occupies the position shown by full lines.

inFigL`7. When the .cable |50-is actuated to raise .the bucket after it has been loaded, the bucket is"frst turned to occupy a suspended position so that it will retain 'its contents and it continues to'retain this position as it is elevated to the successive positions which .are shown at |35b, |35c and '|35d. When the bucket reaches the position shown by dotted lines at |356, the sticks |33 are inclined upwardly and toward the right,

as viewed in Fig.' 7, but the bucket is still sus- .pen'ded 'to retain its contents and upon further swinging movement of the sticks.v |33,v the cable |50.reverses its position and passes about the .pulleys |51 locatedon the upper right end of the-'upper frame structure |32, whereupon the sticks are supported from the drum |56 over the .pulleys |51, the cable b eing then wound up on the drum in order to support the sticks in this position. When the sticks have reached the positions shown at '|33il atthe right-hand side of Fig. 7, the bucket may be inverted in positionas shown at. |35t in` order to discharge its contents.

In this, as in the. other forms of the. invention, ltwill be apparent 'that 'the contents of the bucket may be dischargedgradually by effecting a gradual-rotation of the bucket about its axis.

The embodiment of theinventon in dragline mountedformovement.about-a vertical axis on a. chassis 6| carried by Caterpillar treads |62 which travelenn thearthfsurfacefshown at |63.

The operators cabin is shownat |64 and abooi extends upwardlyvand toward the right froi .one end of .the frame |66, as shown in Fig. l the lower end of this boom being pivoted on. bracket |66. The upper end of this boom has pulley |61 over which passes. a cable |68 adapte to be connected .at its free .end-to a bucket |1 through the agency of a bracket |1| and a chai: connection |12. This bucket is of the double edged variety .and .may have. the form shown i: Fig. 1 or the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 al .though the` form shown in Fig. 1 is preferabl; used. The cable-,|68, after .passing over the pul ley |61 is extended .downwardly and toward thi left into the cabin or housing |64 -where iti capable of..being .wound upon a power actate( drum wherebythebucket |1|l .may be raised an( lowered with respect to the free end of the boom The boom |65-maybe raised and lowered aboui the. pivot at -its lower end through a connectior formed by arms |15 which are attached to the other end of. .the boom atthe axis of the pulley |65 and which carry at their inner ends a pulley |16=about which a cable |11 passes. This cable extends into the housing. |64 -and is adapted-tc be wound upon a drumV by power actuated means so that the. position of the boom |65 is determined by the ei'lectiveI length of the stretches-oi the cable |11 between :th Ydrum and the pulley |16. l

.The-double-edged cutting bucket |10 is adapted to be actuated4 automatically in cutting, loading and dumping through the agency of the cable mechanism by which-it -is manipulated. 'This cablemechanismV includes, in -addition to the parts heretofore described, a cable which is attached at yone endto anv arm |8|EL carried by a counterweight |8| secured' to one edge of an end wall |10'i of the bucket. This cable extends around a pulley- |82 attached to the bracketv |1| which is locatedat the free end of the cable |68 and, after passing over this pulley, the cable extends downwardly and is attached to a bracket |83 comprisinga pair 4of pivoted arms. The pivot of these arms is connected through a chain |84 to a connecting member |85 carried by the counter-weight |8|. When the bucket is suspended as shown by full lines in Fig. 8, one cutting edge |10b of the bucket is'directed downwardly in position to cut along the inclined surface |81EL of the.

. digging and loading, the bucket isiadapted to-be :excavating apparatus is shown in Fig. 8 of the. drawings. This apparatus comprises a frame |66 moved by a cable which extends from onearm of the bracket |83 through sheaves |9| carried by the end of the frame |68, and .fromthese sheaves the cable |90 passes into the housing |64 and is wound on a drum which may be power actuated to draw the cable inwardly toward the housing. When the bucket |10 has reached the'position |189, it is still in digging position with one cutting edge directed downwardly. Upon reachingvthis point, the cable |90 is tightened with the result I.that the bucket is turned and caused to assume theposition shown at |10d where 4the cutting zedge moves along the horizontalsurface |81d. .Upon further tightening of the cable |90,.-the bucket |10 is further turned and caused to assume the position shown -at |10e sothat.the cutting edge .moves upwardly along'the inclined surface |81c. In this position the bucket is .loadedand is in readiness to have its contents discharged. .During these movements, the position of the bucket has been automatically con` place where it is to be dumped. During these i" movements, the cables |68 and |90 are operated in order to permit and effect the necessary movements of the bucket and the turning of the bucket is automatically controlled by the cable |88 and the chain |84 which are adjusted to the proper length .for the purpose.

In the various forms of the invention which have been described, the source of power which moves the vehicle about on its treads may be used to supply power for operating the various. parts by which the bucket is carried and moved and, also, to rotate the bucket. It will be apparent that steam, electric or gasoline power may be used and suitable controlling devices may be mounted on the frame and in the operators cabin so that the digging, moving, loading and dumping operations may be effected vfrom one position and under the control of a singleoperator.

Although several forms of the invention have been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the. invention may take various other forms withinthe' scope of the appended claims.

I claim;

l. Excavating apparatus comprising, a bucket having oppo tely dis osed parallel cutting4v edges, a frame,'means for supporting `said bucket from said frame, means" for moving said bucket transversely toits cutting edges toward and away from said frame to effect the cutting action of either cutting edge, and power driven means for rotatingv said bucket about its own axis and holding it in any desired angular position.

2. Excavating apparatus comprising, a bucket having oppositely'spgsed parallel cutting edges, a frame, means for supporting said bucket from said frame, means for moving said bucket transversely to its cutting edges toward and away from said frame to effect the cutting action of either cutting edge, and power actuated means controlled from said frame for rotating said bucket through a complete revolution about its own axis.

3. Excavating apparatus comprising, a pivoted support, a bucket having oppositely disposed parallel cutting edges, means for mounting said bucke said support to rotate about an axis extending parallel to said cutting edges, power actuated means for rotating said bucket about its pivotal axis, means connected eccentrically to said bucket for moving said support about its pivot, and means for moving said bucket toward and from said support.

4. Excavating apparatus comprising, a frame, a boom mounted on said frame and projecting therefrom, a bucket having oppositglkdisposed parallel cutting edges, power actuatedmeans for supporting said bucket from said boom and effecting relative movement of said bucket and said boom, and power actuated means for rotating said bucket about its own axis and controlling the rotation thereof.

5. Excavating aparatus comprising, a frame, a boom mounted on said frame and projected therefrom, a bucket having oppositely-disposed parallel cutting edges, means for supporting said 12 bucket from said boom l for rotation about an axis extending parallel to said cutting edges an'd transversely to said boom, power actuated means for effecting relative movement of said bucket and said boom, and power actuated means for rotating said bucket throu'ghany part of a complete revolution, about said axis.

6. Excavating apparatus comprising, a frame,

a boom mounted on said frame and projecting' therefrom, a bucket having o sitely disposed parallel cutting edges, means fopp-postmg said bucket from said b oom for rotation about an axis extending parallel to said cutting edges and transversely to said boom, power actuated means for effecting relativemovement of said bucket and said boom, power actuated means for moving said bucket toward said frame, and separate power actuated means for rotating said bucket aboutits axis.

7. Excavating apparatus comprising, a frame,

-' a boom mounted on said frame and projecting therefrom, a bucket having op sitely disposed parallel cutting edges, means forllosdpcrting said bucket from said boomfor rotation about an axis extending parallel to'said cutting edges and trans versely to said boom, power actuated means for,

effecting relative movement of said bucket and said boom, power actuated means for moving said,

bucket toward said frame, and power actuated means for rotating said bucket about its axis, all of said power actuated means being controlled. from said frame.

8. Excavating apparatus comprising a frame, a boom having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for rotation in a vertical plane, said boom.

' projecting from said-frame, a dipper stick pivotally connected to the other end of said boom and supported thereby,i said dipper stick being rotatable in a vertical planeabout its pivotal center, a bucket having a curved bottom plate, terminating at two opposite extremities in parallel' lcluding a pair* cutting edges, said ucket a` of spaced end walls secured tosaid bottom plate and co-operating therewith to denne a material-l holding cavity, said bucket beingv pivotally connected to one end of said dipper stick, the pivotal." axis of said bucket being parallel to and midway' between said cutting edges and parallel to theA pivotal axis of said dipper stick, a cable connected to said dipper stick near the end thereof adjacent said bucket, power means carried by said frame and connected to said cable and operative to pull said bucket toward said frame and to rotate said dipper stick in the corresponding direction, a second cable connected to the end ofi said dipper stick remote from said bucket, and, power means carried by said frame and connected to said second cable and operative therethrough; to rotate said dipper stick in the opposite direction.

a support for said buc said support, and fluid pressure operated means mounted on said support and connected to said bucket eccentrically to the pivotal axis thereof for rotating said bucket and controlling the angular position thereof.

EDWARD H. KLUCKHOHN.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Thew Dec. 4, 1894 White Oct. 21, 1902 Eastman Aug. 16, 1910 10 Munn July 18, 1911 Dupont Nov. 16, 1920 Wilson Nov. 13, 1928 Number Number Name Date Wilson Jan. 12, 1932 Pugh Oct. 3, 1933 Siebert Sept. 22, 1936 Baker Aug. 13, 1940 Benbow et al Jan. 7, 1941 Garner Apr. 22, 1941 Linn Dec. 1, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France July 8, 1904 France 1933 

